Well done to the squad on another good performance against Mancis on Sunday. We had quite a small squad (13 players) and a few of those carrying injuries. We did more than enough to win the game by a couple of clear goals, but sadly a draw is how it finished.
It's often said that football is a game of two halves. This was definitely not the case today. Mancis made the unusual request to play the game in 3 periods of 30 minutes each. Somewhat bemused, we accepted and so it was.
We started well in the first 'third'. We were a little slow out of the blocks but soon picked up our pace. It wasn't long before we were one nil up. A flowing move from the back up the left put us on the edge of the Mancis box. We moved across the park to the right wing. Roy laid it back for David Jones who hit a great strike into the corner of the net from the edge of the box. 1-0. We restricted Mancis to a few shots from long range and really could have grabbed another. But it was 1-0 at 'third' time.
We continued to press forward in the second 'third'. However, on a break Mancis were awarded a pen which they scored to level the match at 1-1. Undeterred we continued playing good football and created several very good chances to take the lead and also were denied by the woodwork. We contained Mancis who rarely threatened. We really should have come in to the break at least a goal or two in front but it was not be. 1-1 at 'two-thirds' time.
The final 'third' was all about true grit from the men in red. Our small squad was running on empty, but nonetheless some supreme determination and teamwork kept us in control. The ref made the headlines for sending off one player from each side for two of the most innocuous offences I've seen (Jonesy made personal history by being booked for a seemingly innocent challenge and then being subsequently sent off in a case of mistaken identity). Both teams tired and chances were at a premium. 1-1 it ended.
A very good performance lads. We passed the ball and made some quality chances. That last half an hour required you all to dig deep to keep on going. Great teamwork; it was a pleasure to watch.
That's the last of pre-season friendlies. It was clear during the game yesterday that we're settling nicely as a team and getting used to playing with each other. We kept possession well, used the full width of the park and created several very good chances to score. Keep on working on our game: we have a great opportunity to be up there challenging for the league this season.
Our first league game is the first Sunday in November versus Vikings at Equine Park. A game we'll be looking to win. Until then, work on your fitness; make sure you attend training for each of the next two Thursday's and be available for selection for the 7-a-side tournament next weekend.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Asterix Reds 5 - 3 British High Commission (Friendly)
Another improved performance saw us win comfortably against a decent British High Commission side under floodlights at Club Aman.
We started with a high tempo; kept possession of the football and were duly rewarded with a 4 - 0 lead after 25 minutes. The scorers of the first four goals were Adam with 2, Andy Johnston and Stuart Cavens. One of the goals was particularly special. The move began deep in our own half. A couple of sharp passes and good movement got us up to the halfway line. A great ball released Shashi down the right who's low first time cross was buried past the keepers right hand. It was a beautiful piece of football and would have a been a quality goal by any team at any level. An absolute pleasure to watch and a goal you should all be proud of. The High Comm team got one back when we were again punished from a corner. Andy Johnston then restored the four goal margin with a great individual effort. A couple of good stops from Alan Boden kept the score at 5-1 at half time.
We tired in the second half and our football suffered. The High Comm came at us with more purpose and had the lion's share of possession and chances. They scored two more - both from corners - and we relied on a few good stops from Alan in goal to keep them down to 3. 5- 3 was how it ended.
We played as well as we have done in the first 30 minutes of the first half. We played with a high tempo and focused on completing passes such that we retain possession. Our energy levels were fantastic. The movement off the ball was also very good. We all wanted the ball, all the time which is great to see. I was also impressed by our decision making on the ball which helped us to keep possession. We kept our passing very simple; playing the ball the way we're facing. It's these first few passes that allow us to create quality possession from which we can we can create quality chances. This plus a high work rate enabled us to get men in the box. Also good was our play from the back. The full backs both did a good job of taking the ball off the keeper and distributing the ball to feet. Our wide play was also very good in both halves. It was great to see the wingers stay wide and use the space in front of them to good effect.
My only concerns were two-fold:
Dealing with corners: 5 of the last 6 goals we've let in have been from corners. All should have been prevented. We have to realize that we have a problem here which we need to fix. The goals have been caused because we're either leaving people unmarked or not putting in a strong enough challenge. We've each got to pick up a player on a corner. Stay with your man, and make yourself count in the challenge. It's simple lads. Let's make sure we fix it this weekend.
Maintaining our tempo for the whole game: We've had fantastic starts to the last two games we've played but have dropped our tempo as we've tired. I encourage you all to make the effort to make it along to training on Thursdays as well as do some additional fitness work of your own in the early part of the week. Increased fitness level will help us play at a high tempo for the entire match.
Lads, we're making great progress as a team. This weekend is our last friendly before the season starts; let's use it to keep developing our passing and moving game, treat possession of the ball like gold and ensure we defend set pieces properly.
Get yourselves along to training on Thursday.
We started with a high tempo; kept possession of the football and were duly rewarded with a 4 - 0 lead after 25 minutes. The scorers of the first four goals were Adam with 2, Andy Johnston and Stuart Cavens. One of the goals was particularly special. The move began deep in our own half. A couple of sharp passes and good movement got us up to the halfway line. A great ball released Shashi down the right who's low first time cross was buried past the keepers right hand. It was a beautiful piece of football and would have a been a quality goal by any team at any level. An absolute pleasure to watch and a goal you should all be proud of. The High Comm team got one back when we were again punished from a corner. Andy Johnston then restored the four goal margin with a great individual effort. A couple of good stops from Alan Boden kept the score at 5-1 at half time.
We tired in the second half and our football suffered. The High Comm came at us with more purpose and had the lion's share of possession and chances. They scored two more - both from corners - and we relied on a few good stops from Alan in goal to keep them down to 3. 5- 3 was how it ended.
We played as well as we have done in the first 30 minutes of the first half. We played with a high tempo and focused on completing passes such that we retain possession. Our energy levels were fantastic. The movement off the ball was also very good. We all wanted the ball, all the time which is great to see. I was also impressed by our decision making on the ball which helped us to keep possession. We kept our passing very simple; playing the ball the way we're facing. It's these first few passes that allow us to create quality possession from which we can we can create quality chances. This plus a high work rate enabled us to get men in the box. Also good was our play from the back. The full backs both did a good job of taking the ball off the keeper and distributing the ball to feet. Our wide play was also very good in both halves. It was great to see the wingers stay wide and use the space in front of them to good effect.
My only concerns were two-fold:
Dealing with corners: 5 of the last 6 goals we've let in have been from corners. All should have been prevented. We have to realize that we have a problem here which we need to fix. The goals have been caused because we're either leaving people unmarked or not putting in a strong enough challenge. We've each got to pick up a player on a corner. Stay with your man, and make yourself count in the challenge. It's simple lads. Let's make sure we fix it this weekend.
Maintaining our tempo for the whole game: We've had fantastic starts to the last two games we've played but have dropped our tempo as we've tired. I encourage you all to make the effort to make it along to training on Thursdays as well as do some additional fitness work of your own in the early part of the week. Increased fitness level will help us play at a high tempo for the entire match.
Lads, we're making great progress as a team. This weekend is our last friendly before the season starts; let's use it to keep developing our passing and moving game, treat possession of the ball like gold and ensure we defend set pieces properly.
Get yourselves along to training on Thursday.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Asterix Reds 1 - 1 KL Vikings (Expat Cup Preseason Tournament)
I'm much happier writing this week's match report than I was last week. And I think that just about sums it up. Credit to the squad for putting in a much improved performance this week against The Vikings. We did enough to win the game but more importantly we played with a lot more purpose.
We talked before the game about starting with higher intensity levels and playing the game at a higher tempo. We did this from the off and took an early lead with a great strike from Andy Johnston. We should have perhaps got another after going close with a couple of good chances. As the half wore on, our tempo dropped to that of the The Vikings and we let them get back into the game in the second 20 minutes of the first half. Once again, we were duly punished for poor marking from a set piece and allowed them to level. One-one at half time.
We were on top for much of the second half. Most pleasing was the determination and commitment we showed as a team; the first time we've done so this season. We chased down, tackled well and moved well off the ball. I though the back four (or rather seven including subs) was superb throughout; The Vikings hardly created a chance from open play. Our midfielders worked well together, tackled well and helped each other off the ball. It was particularly pleasing to see us play the ball from the back. We got it wide more than we have done so far this season and that resulted in us creating a lot of space to move forward. Our two strikers worked their socks off, both playing the entire game. Full credit to you both for your energy and commitment; on another day with a bit more luck we could have scored more. As it was the game ended one each. It would have been nice to win, but most importantly we improved our performance and played closer to our potential.
Next week we have another friendly; this one against Club Aman at Club Aman. It's a night game on Friday and will be followed by our BIG night out. It's important that we consolidate the improvements we made today and continue to work on our passing and team play. Despite today's imporvements, we're still giving the ball away too easily with low-percentage balls. During the next game, I want us to continue to play with continually high levels of intensity and tempo and also look to continue to improve our decision making on the ball. I'm looking for more of you to take responsibility for ensuring we maintain possession by playing more high percentage balls that result in us stringing more passes together and keeping the ball for longer periods.
As always, get yourself exercised during the early part of the week and attend training at 7PM on Thursday night. As important, make sure you book Friday night off with your significant others. We'll finish the game around 9 before strolling over to J n R in Ampang for a bite and a few loosening ales. From there we'll adjourn to the bright lights of the city for some 'team bonding'. Don't plan anything for Saturday morning. I'll send an evite with details.
Well done again on a much improved performance.
We talked before the game about starting with higher intensity levels and playing the game at a higher tempo. We did this from the off and took an early lead with a great strike from Andy Johnston. We should have perhaps got another after going close with a couple of good chances. As the half wore on, our tempo dropped to that of the The Vikings and we let them get back into the game in the second 20 minutes of the first half. Once again, we were duly punished for poor marking from a set piece and allowed them to level. One-one at half time.
We were on top for much of the second half. Most pleasing was the determination and commitment we showed as a team; the first time we've done so this season. We chased down, tackled well and moved well off the ball. I though the back four (or rather seven including subs) was superb throughout; The Vikings hardly created a chance from open play. Our midfielders worked well together, tackled well and helped each other off the ball. It was particularly pleasing to see us play the ball from the back. We got it wide more than we have done so far this season and that resulted in us creating a lot of space to move forward. Our two strikers worked their socks off, both playing the entire game. Full credit to you both for your energy and commitment; on another day with a bit more luck we could have scored more. As it was the game ended one each. It would have been nice to win, but most importantly we improved our performance and played closer to our potential.
Next week we have another friendly; this one against Club Aman at Club Aman. It's a night game on Friday and will be followed by our BIG night out. It's important that we consolidate the improvements we made today and continue to work on our passing and team play. Despite today's imporvements, we're still giving the ball away too easily with low-percentage balls. During the next game, I want us to continue to play with continually high levels of intensity and tempo and also look to continue to improve our decision making on the ball. I'm looking for more of you to take responsibility for ensuring we maintain possession by playing more high percentage balls that result in us stringing more passes together and keeping the ball for longer periods.
As always, get yourself exercised during the early part of the week and attend training at 7PM on Thursday night. As important, make sure you book Friday night off with your significant others. We'll finish the game around 9 before strolling over to J n R in Ampang for a bite and a few loosening ales. From there we'll adjourn to the bright lights of the city for some 'team bonding'. Don't plan anything for Saturday morning. I'll send an evite with details.
Well done again on a much improved performance.
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